E-mail etiquette

[schwiss]

A short question regarding U.S. social norms.

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X" in my suck mails. Usually they do reply with a "Dear George" salutation. Is it okay/expected for me to use the first name salutation also after that?

[WhoaNonstop]

To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

[schwiss]

To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

Ok, thanks. I will insist on George only.

[satyad18]

A short question regarding U.S. social norms.

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X" in my suck mails. Usually they do reply with a "Dear George" salutation. Is it okay/expected for me to use the first name salutation also after that?

I know less of the U.S social norms, but IMO, addressing the professor as Dr. Last Name/ Prof. Last name looks decent.

[admissionprof]

To be completely safe I wouldn't.

I would always go by Dr. Last Name unless they specifically said not to. (As for when I'm a professor, I will insist on my first name only)

-Riley

This is correct. I get plenty of suck e-mails, and either Dr. or Prof. is best. Sometimes Mr./Ms. is ok, and that isn't unusual for foreign students. First name seems awkward, even though I tell all of our current graduate students to call me by my first name (but I don't insist---most Asian cultures tend to resist first names for professors).

But then why do professors often respond with the first name? Well, suppose I were to get an e-mail from someone named Riley? I can't use Dr. or Prof., so the only option is Mr./Ms. But which is Riley? If I guess wrong, it is very embarrassing. So I will often respond with the first name, which is safer.

[schwiss]

This is correct. I get plenty of suck e-mails, and either Dr. or Prof. is best. Sometimes Mr./Ms. is ok, and that isn't unusual for foreign students. First name seems awkward, even though I tell all of our current graduate students to call me by my first name (but I don't insist---most Asian cultures tend to resist first names for professors).

But then why do professors often respond with the first name? Well, suppose I were to get an e-mail from someone named Riley? I can't use Dr. or Prof., so the only option is Mr./Ms. But which is Riley? If I guess wrong, it is very embarrassing. So I will often respond with the first name, which is safer.

Dear Prof. admissionprof,

This makes perfect sense.

Best regards,
George

[zxcv]

The usual rule of thumb is to address professors by their first name only if that is how they sign their own name. So I address my first message as "Dear Professor."

[WhoaNonstop]

Is it out of line to email a professor just to inquire about their music preferences?

-Riley

[twistor]

I use a salutation of "Dear Professor X"

Dear Professor X,

Please tell Wolverine I said, "hi." Also, Jean Grey is hott!!!11 lol

thx,

twistor